HSA donates $10,000 for tsunami relief; $5,000 to British Columbia food banks

The Health Sciences Association of BC has donated $10,000 to Oxfam Canada's Tsunami Relief Fund to assist with relief efforts in the aftermath of the devastating tsunami that hit Southeast Asia on Boxing Day. The donation brings the total contribution of National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE)-affiliated unions across Canada to date to almost $150,000.

"This donation is being made on behalf of all HSA members who, like people around the world, are looking for ways to help the millions of people affected by this tragedy. I also encourage members to make individual donations to Oxfam Canada by January 11th, as those donations will be matched by the federal government," Stewart said.

In tandem with the donation to Oxfam Canada, the HSA Board of Directors approved a donation of $5,000 to the BC Branch of the Canadian Association of Food Banks.

"The outpouring of support for tsunami relief has created a vacuum of need for local agencies and charities. We are making this contribution today to support food banks across British Columbia because we cannot forget the local and ongoing needs of the people in our own communities," Stewart said.

For information on how to donate to Oxfam Canada's Tsunami Relief Fund, logon to www.oxfam.ca or send your donation by mail to Oxfam Canada, Fundraising Office 215 Spadina Avenue Suite 200 Toronto, ON M5T 2C7. Donations received by January 11, 2005 will be matched dollar for dollar by the federal government.

The Health Sciences Association of BC is a union that represents 11,000 health science professionals working in the BC health care system, as well as social service professionals working in communities across the province.

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Contact: Miriam Sobrino
Communications Officer
604 439 0994 office / 604 328 2886 cell